2013 Darwin Awards

Named in honor of Charles Darwin, the father of
evolution, the Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene
pool by removing themselves from it.

Newcastle Icicle
2013 Darwin Award Nominee

Investigative journalism reaches a new "low" when a reporter freezes to
death while getting an inside look at the lives of those who sleep rough...

(31 March 2013, Newcastle, England) The UK homeless population's numbers are difficult to gauge; the website Crisis.co.uk sets a low estimate at 2,300 homeless people per night.

Intending to advance his career, investigative journalist Lee Halpin, 26,
decided to acquire background in the problem by pretending to be
homeless. He borrowed a sleeping bag and, waving aside the concerns of
friends and family, he set off into the streets alone. "I will sleep rough,
scrounge for my food, interact with as many homeless people as possible,
and immerse myself in that lifestyle as deeply as I can," said the
journalist--three days before freezing to death in a boarded up hostel.

Hypothermia is suspected and autopsy results are pending; meanwhile, two homeless men have been arrested on possibly-related drug charges.